Entry into Jerusalem.
THE morning rose with peaceful skies,
The first day of the week,
And Jesus forthwith went His way,
Jerusalem to seek.
He knew what waited Him—the thought
His lofty spirit thrilled—
That all His Father's' work be done,
And Scripture be fulfilled.
Along the road towards Olive's mount—
That oft-trod road—He went,
Then two of His disciples
Into Bethphage He sent;
And said: "Into the village go,
Where straightway ye shall see
An ass tied, and a colt with her;
Loose them and bring to me.
"If any may say aught to you,
This shall be your reply:
'The Lord hath need of them,' then he
Will cheerfully comply."
Then the disciples went their way,
And found, as they were bidden,
An ass tied, and a colt, whereon
No man had ever ridden.
And their owners, as they loosed them,
Enquired: "Why do ye so?"
They said: "The Lord hath need of them."
And then they let them go.
And they brought them unto Jesus,
And put on them their clothes;
And Jesus rode upon the colt,
While loud Hosannahs rose.
And multitudes of people spread
Their garments in the way,
While others strewed palm branches where
The Master rode that day.
And "Hosannah, Son of David!"
They cried with one accord,
"Blessed is He that cometh thus
In the name of the Lord!"
But the Pharisees said: "Master,
Rebuke this noisy shout."
Said Jesus: "Should they hold their peace,
The stones would then cry out."
Now they descend fair Olive's Mount,
Jerusalem appears,
And Jesus beholds the city,
And over it sheds tears,
Saying: "Hadst thou but known the things
Which belong to thy peace:
But now from thine eyes they are hid;
Thy day of hope shall cease."
The city's gate they enter now;
Much moved, the people say:
"Who is this?" Some answer: "Jesus,
Prophet of Galilee."
Then to the temple went the Lord,
To clear its spacious courts
Of those who bought and sold within
Its sanctified resorts.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw
His wondrous works and ways,
And children in the temple courts
Shouting these words of praise:
"Hosannah to great David's Son!"
They very angry were,
And said to Him: "These babbling cries
Around, dost thou not hear?"
And Jesus saith unto them: "Yea,
Have ye not read the Word:
'The mouths of babes and sucklings doth
Thy perfect praise accord?'"
The Pharisees, among themselves,
Said: "Do ye not perceive
That ye prevail naught while the world
Doth on this man believe?"